Search Weight Loss Topics:




Jan 5

Ditch the diet this January – what to do instead get healthy and lose weight – Mirror Online

How to lose weight quickly Comments Off on Ditch the diet this January – what to do instead get healthy and lose weight – Mirror Online

Every January we're bombarded with advertisements for fad diets, weightloss programmes and healthy eating alternatives as companies make the most of people's New Year's Resolutions.

After over-indulging at Christmas, many of us are tempted to search for a quick fix to lose weight or get into shape, but the truth is it rarely works.

So Tamara Willner, nutritionist for Second Nature, is urging people to ditch the fad diets this year and try something a bit different.

She explains: "This year we are taking a stand against unhealthy, unrealistic fad diets, because they dont work.

"Although they usually result in fast weight loss, we know that fad diets dont last in the long term.

"Research shows two-thirds of people regain all the weight they lost and then some following a highly restrictive diet."

Tamara claims that it's much better to look at your health holistically, focusing on the bigger pictre including sleep, stress, movement as well as nutrition.

She says it's the "most effective way to lose weight and prevent regaining the pounds in the future."

"Plus, learning to enjoy the things we love mindfully, whether thats chocolate or wine, rather than restrict ourselves and then binge on these items, is much more likely to result in long-term results", she adds.

She says: "Our movement asks people to stop opting for solutions that dont work and advice that isnt legitimate. Instead, we suggest sustainable changes you can make to improve your health and lose weight in the long term.

"Theres nothing wrong with wanting to make healthy changes. The issue is when we make unrealistic goals, inevitably fail to achieve those goals, and then feel as though we arent good enough or weve failed.

"Plus, its common to develop an unhealthy relationship with food and see food as the enemy.

"Losing weight and making healthy changes to our lifestyle doesnt need to feel like a punishment.

As part of their #stopfaddiets campaign, Second Nature has put together a list of things you can do instead.

They've also come up with an alternative meal plan, filled with delicious and healthy ideas that will allow you to enjoy your dinner while still being healthy.

MONDAY

Breakfast - Baked beans

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 small onion, diced

4 garlic cloves, finely diced or minced

1 handful fresh thyme leaves, roughly chopped

1 tbsp wholegrain mustard

500ml vegetable or chicken stock

125g tomato paste

2 x 400g tins white beans (haricot, butter beans, or cannellini), rinsed and drained

METHOD

1. Heat the oil in a non-stick saucepan, over medium heat.

2. Fry the onion and garlic for 5mins, or until soft and slightly browned.

3. Add the thyme, mustard, stock, tomato paste, and beans. Season with salt and pepper,

and bring to a boil.

4. Reduce heat and simmer for 30mins, or until the liquid has reduced by half. The sauce

should be fairly thick.

LUNCH

Mini omelettes

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

2 tsp extra virgin olive oil

1 small onion, finely diced

1 red pepper, diced

1 large tomato, diced

2-3 handfuls spinach, roughly chopped

1 tbsp sundried tomatoes, finely sliced (optional)

8 medium or large eggs

125ml milk

tsp ground paprika

tsp chilli powder

60g Cheddar cheese, grated

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 160C/140C fan.

2. Heat 1 tsp of the oil in a frying pan, over medium heat. Fry the onion, pepper, and

tomato for 8mins, or until soft.

3. Add the spinach, mix well, and cook for 2mins. Remove from the heat and add the

sundried tomatoes (if using).

4. Break the eggs into a large bowl. Add the milk, paprika, chilli, salt, and pepper. Mix well

with a fork or whisk.

5. Lightly oil a 12 cup muffin tin, with the other tsp of oil. Divide the vegetables evenly

between the 12 cups. Carefully fill the cups with the egg mix and top with grated cheese.

6. Bake for 15-20mins, until the omelettes are just cooked through and slightly browned

on the top.

DINNER

Chilli con carne

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

1 tbsp olive oil

1 brown onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, finely diced or minced

500g beef mince

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp hot smoked paprika

tsp ground cumin

tsp ground coriander

tsp dried oregano

3 medium carrots

2 large red peppers

1 x 400g tin kidney beans, rinsed and drained

2 tbsp tomato paste

1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes

150ml beef stock

100ml red wine

1 lime, juiced, sliced

4 tbsp sour cream (optional)

1 avocado, diced

1 romaine lettuce head, finely sliced

80g uncooked brown rice

METHOD

1. Heat the oil in a large casserole dish, over medium heat.

2. Fry the onion and garlic, until softened.

3. Add the mince and break it apart with a wooden spoon, cook until browned all

over. Mix in all the spices and stir for 1-2mins.

4. Add the carrots, peppers, beans, and tomato paste, and stir for 2-3mins or until

slightly softened and covered in spices.

5. Pour in the chopped tomatoes, beef stock, wine, and lime juice. Cover with a lid,

leaving a small gap so liquid can evaporate slightly. Cook for 20mins, until the

liquid has reduced and the sauce is thick.

6. Serve with chopped avocado, romaine lettuce and sour cream. Serve with 1

portion of brown rice (20g uncooked/50g cooked per person).

TUESDAY

BREAKFAST

Excerpt from:
Ditch the diet this January - what to do instead get healthy and lose weight - Mirror Online

Related Posts

    Your Full Name

    Your Email

    Your Phone Number

    Select your age (30+ only)

    Select Your US State

    Program Choice

    Confirm over 30 years old

    Yes

    Confirm that you resident in USA

    Yes

    This is a Serious Inquiry

    Yes

    Message:



    matomo tracker